Three trends, accelerated by the Russian war in Ukraine, characterise the changing geopolitical dynamics in Central Asia: Russia’s declining influence in the region, China’s reluctance to step decisively into this void, and the slowly but unevenly increasing ability of the Central Asian countries to provide an alternative framework for managing regional stability.
International Conflict Management
Mechanisms for Dialogue: A Contribution to Preventing Civil War Recurrence
In this USIP Discussion Paper, my colleagues Argyro Kartsonaki, Giuditta Fontana, and I argue that the effects of...
Ukraine war: latest UN vote shows world wants conflict to end – but can’t agree on how to prevent Putin going nuclear
Each time the United Nations gathers to debate and vote on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, it becomes more obvious that the vast majority of the international community condemns the invasion and wants the conflict to stop.
Ukraine war: west condemns ‘sham’ referendums in Russian-occupied areas
Polls have closed in four Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine after four days of voting in referendums on their future status. Predictably, the results showed “overwhelming support” for joining Russia.
What are the prospects for peace, six months after Russia invaded Ukraine?
Ukraine and Russia are strong enough to frustrate each other over territorial gains but not enough to achieve military victory.
Ukraine war: six months on the only way to resume negotiations is to increase cost to Russia
August 24 is Ukraine’s independence day – the day when, in 1990, the Supreme Soviet of the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic approved the Act of Declaration of Independence at a special session.
Ukraine war: Nato and the EU can turn Kosovo border crisis into an opportunity to put more pressure on Russia
An old dispute over a decision by the government of Kosovo in September 2021 to enforce the use of Kosovo-issued licence plates for Serbs in the northern municipalities has flared up again and threatens to escalate into conflict between the two countries.
‘Weaponising’ food amid Ukraine war might be Putin’s real trump card
Russia’s blockade of Black Sea ports is driving up food inflation and exacerbating the global hunger problem that may drive more migrants to Europe.
Ukraine war: Russia’s G20 walkout heightens tensions at fractious summit as China’s rise continues
While G20 foreign ministers were meeting in Bali, Indonesia, the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, threatened further escalation in his war against Ukraine, announcing to the world that “by and large, we have not started anything in earnest yet”.
